After this second Sunday of Christmas, the church will enter the season of Epiphany. Epiphany officially begins on January 6. Epiphany is the time the church commemorates the coming of the magi as the first manifestation of Christ to the Gentiles. The magi, traditionally called the wise men, had discovered a new star shining in the heavens. They believed it announced the birth of a divine being. After traveling thousands of miles using the light of the star as their compass, they stopped in Jerusalem, the seat of King Herod the Great. Can’t you see the look on Herod’s face as they inquired of him, “Where is the child who has been born king of the Jews? For we observed his star at its rising, and have come to pay him homage” (Matthew 2:2).
This news would have greatly disturbed Herod, because he was not the rightful heir to the throne. He was considered a usurper. If this child was the Messiah, the true heir to King David’s throne, the Jews would possibly unite around him. Because Herod was a ruthless leader, many Jews hated him and wanted him off the throne. Because he was suspicious that he might be overthrown, Herod planned to rid himself of this so-called king of the Jews. Because he was cunning, he might be able to use these visitors. They might actually be able to find the child, so he promised to consult his advisors. Because they were aware of the prophecies about the expected Messiah, especially that of Micah, Herod got his answer: “But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, though you are small among the clans of Judah, out of you will come for me one who will be ruler over Israel, whose origins are from of old, from ancient times” (Micah 5:2 NIV).
Most Jews expected the Messiah to be a strong political and military leader like Israel’s mighty King David. Herod would fear a Messiah like this. He would allow no such man to take his throne from him. Therefore, he returned to his visitors with the answer that Bethlehem was the prophesied location of the birth of this new king. Herod instructed his visitors from the east, “Search the city and then send word to back to me, for I, too, desire to go and worship him” (Matthew 2:8 cf). Herod had no intention of worshiping this child. By using a lie, Herod hoped to trick the magi into returning to him. Then he could proceed with plans to rid himself of this threat.
The magi continued their journey to the obscure town of Bethlehem, about five miles outside of Jerusalem, still using the star’s light to guide them. When they found the child, they were overjoyed. The bowed their knees in reverence and worshiped him. The light of the star had guided them to the light of the world. As John recorded in his gospel, the true light that would enlighten everyone had come into the world — a light that would set hearts on fire.
Carla loves candles. Her husband does not. Every time he sees her light them, he fears she’ll burn down the house. But this year, they chose to purchase a new Christ Candle for their small church. That candle, wrapped in butcher paper, rested against a chair in the alcove off their living room. Tomorrow it would be dedicated, but tonight they were entertaining friends.
Carla looked at the time. Everything was set except for one thing — lighting the candles. She had to hurry before her husband saw the flickering lights. She was almost done when the doorbell rang. Quickly she struck the wooden match, but the tip broke off and dropped “somewhere.” Frantically searching, she found nothing, so she successfully lit another. Calming herself, she smiled as she went to welcome the first visitor. “Merry Christmas, Gerry! What can I get you to drink? Hot apple cider, holiday punch, soda, or coffee?”
As Gerry sat sipping his cider, the doorbell rang again. Craning his neck to see who’d arrived, he noticed a flame in the other room.
“Fire! Fire!” he cried. Carla turned to see the butcher paper around her $200 candle on fire. Darting over to it, she extinguished it by beating it with a throw pillow. Her husband rushed to the scene and removed the charred paper. Shaking his head he said, “I told you she was dangerous. It seems to be okay, just some soot on one side — we’ll just wash it off. Won’t we, dear?” Zing!
The flame, that had burned so brightly for a moment, had been put out for now. Wiping the candle down, Carla said to herself, “I hope nobody notices that little smudge near its base.” Still feeling guilty, she rubbed harder.
The Christ Candle, lit during the Christmas season until the Ascension of Jesus, reminds us of “the” light of the world John tells us about in our gospel: “The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness did not overcome it” (John 1:5). Jesus, the Word made flesh, brings light to all humankind. When his light shines upon us, our sins are exposed. But as we confess our sin, and receive God’s forgiveness, we find ourselves unwrapped, and washed clean with forgiveness. The stain of sin is covered by Jesus’ blood. Jesus lights our lives, and faith fans the flame in our hearts.
As Jesus was teaching in the temple one day, he spoke to the crowds saying, “I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness but will have the light of life” (John 8:12). We have two choices in this life: to continue to walk in the darkness, stumbling over the obstacles of grace; or to walk in the light, being guided by “the light” of God’s love.
In a different translation, John tells us in these words:
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. In him was life, and that life was the light of men. The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it. — John 1:3-5 (NIV)
As our Lord is the light “of” the world, Jesus calls us to be lights “to” the world. That is why we were created. There will be some who refuse to let Jesus light up their lives. They remain tightly wrapped up in themselves and the things of the world. But there will be others with hearts on fire, unwrapped by God’s love and grace.
As we approach the New Year, let us join together in making resolutions that will draw us closer to the light: to pray, to worship, to read the Bible, to gather and fellowship with one another. If we do, we will find ourselves enlightened and radiate Christ’s light to a very dark world.
This world needs your witness. Saint Paul reminds us in the book of Acts, “For this is what the Lord has commanded us: ‘I have made you to be a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth’ ” (Acts 13:47 NIV).
This is an awesome responsibility. Christians are called not just at Christmas to light candles and sing, but to light candles in the darkness as beacons to other travelers. Look around you. Embrace the light of hope, the light of salvation, and sing with joy!
Let us pray: Jesus, light of our hearts. Jesus, light of our lives. Shine into our world today. Jesus, light of lights. You are the light that came into a world that did all it could to put that light out. It failed. With your eternal flame, continue to light our hearts on fire. Shine, Jesus, shine. Fill our hearts with your holy presence. Amen.